1874, Oct 18: William John was baptized in Parish of Maker in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall. His parents resided in Fort Picklecombe, Plymouth, England where his father, Charles, was stationed as a Gunner in the 10th Brigade of the Royal Artillery.
1888: He was apprenticed to the sailing vessel Lord Downshire owned by the Lord Lines out of Bangor, NIR as a cadet. He sailed on this vessel for about 5 years. He left the ship about 1893 and on its next voyage went down with all hands in the South Atlantic.
1893, Nov. 11: At age 19, he was employed as 2nd mate on the Windsor Castle, registered in London with a tonnage on 613 tons and was bound for the River Plate in Argentina. He was discharge in June 9, 1894 with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability.
1896, Sept. 1: At age 21, he was employed in Cardiff, England as a mate on the Mount Stuart registered in Glasgow of 1220 tons to sail to Puenta Arenas (country unstated). He was discharged in Harve, France on Aug 15, 1898 again with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability. The master of the vessel wrote: "this is to certify that the bearer Mr. W Mathers sailed as second officer in the Mount Stuart from Cardiff to Algon Bay, New South Wales (Australia), Panama, Punta Arenas and back to Harve. The voyage occupying a period of 23 months and 15 days. During that time I found him very attentive to his duties a thoroughly good seaman and strictly sober. I have much pleasure in recommending him to anyone require his service." Signed H Olsen, Master, Harve, 15th August, 1898
1899, Feb 13: At age of 24 and 3 months, he married Adelaide Elizabeth Wilson, a linen designer. They were married at the Albert Street Church in the Parish of Belfast of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. His occupation is recorded as a Flesher (butcher) as he left the sea to run a butcher shop.
1899, Nov 27: His first child, Adelaide Elizabeth Mathers was born and his father, Charles Mathers, died.
1901, Sept 5: His second child, Emma, was born.
1902, Oct 6: He was back at sea. Upon his discharge the master Wrote: "This is to certify that Mr. William Mathers served as chief officer in the Barque Valona of Richibucto ??? From the 6th of October 1902 until the 9th of December 1903 during which time I found him to be a strictly sober and willing man, a good officer and seaman. He is leaving on account of the ship laying up for the winter." Signed: L W Burnley, Master at Carriers Dock, Liverpool 9/12/03.
1903, June 22: His third and last daughter, Anna Kathleen, was born.
1904, 5 Feb: He was granted the following Certificate of competency by the Lords of the Committee of privy Council for trade as Master of a foreign going ship to William J Mathers. Whereas it has been reported to us that you have been found duly qualified to fulfil the duties of Master of a foreign going ship in the Merchant Service, we do hereby, in pursuance of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 grant you this certificate of Competency. by the orders of the Board of Trade this 5th day of February 1904. He was now 28.
1917, Feb 14: A ship, under his command, was torpedoed by the Germans on the Bristol Channel. During the First World War three of his ships were lost carrying horses to the Russians at Murmansk.
In 1919 or 1920: The United Fruit Co of Boston Mass brought out new ships from England and Belfast with British captains, officers, engineers and crews and decided to keep them and bring their families to the USA. Williams's family immigrated to the USA in 1921.
1925, Sep 8: He was awarded the British War Medal and Mercantile Marine War Medal in respect of his services in the Mercantile Marine during hostilities.
1930: His first grand son, John Mathers Caspole, was born. He was master on the San Miguel then.
1935, Mar 25: He was naturalized as a United States citizen. Cert No 3883593
1939: At age 65 he retired from the maritime service to live at 68 Piermont Street Wollaston Mass.
1942, Dec 23: He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer and is buried in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, Mass.
Note: The name Mathers has origin in Kincardineshire and is of Pictish origin before the year 1100.
The S/S LORD DOWNSHIRE. As written by Adelaide E M Caspole
S/S Lord Downshire was owned by the Lord Line of Belfast, North Ireland.
My father, Captain William John Mathers, served five years on this ship as an officer and left to go to steam. The voyage after he left, the ship "sank with all hands" in the South Atlantic.
Dad found this (painting by T Johnston, dated 1917) in a pawnshop while walking home one afternoon and bought it. Grandma Mathers (his wife) brought it with us when we came to the USA in 1921." Signed Adelaide E M Caspole
The painting is an oil on canvas or cloth and one can read the name Lord Downshire, see the flag of the Lord Line and also the British flag. We also have a photo of the ship's crew including William J Mathers and in the photo one can easily read the name Lord Downshire Bangor on the stern of one lifeboat in the background. The painting was reconditioned and reframed in 2006 at a cost of $1400.00
Husband of Adelaide E Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Adelaide W Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Emma Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Anna Mathers (burried in San Diego)
1888: He was apprenticed to the sailing vessel Lord Downshire owned by the Lord Lines out of Bangor, NIR as a cadet. He sailed on this vessel for about 5 years. He left the ship about 1893 and on its next voyage went down with all hands in the South Atlantic.
1893, Nov. 11: At age 19, he was employed as 2nd mate on the Windsor Castle, registered in London with a tonnage on 613 tons and was bound for the River Plate in Argentina. He was discharge in June 9, 1894 with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability.
1896, Sept. 1: At age 21, he was employed in Cardiff, England as a mate on the Mount Stuart registered in Glasgow of 1220 tons to sail to Puenta Arenas (country unstated). He was discharged in Harve, France on Aug 15, 1898 again with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability. The master of the vessel wrote: "this is to certify that the bearer Mr. W Mathers sailed as second officer in the Mount Stuart from Cardiff to Algon Bay, New South Wales (Australia), Panama, Punta Arenas and back to Harve. The voyage occupying a period of 23 months and 15 days. During that time I found him very attentive to his duties a thoroughly good seaman and strictly sober. I have much pleasure in recommending him to anyone require his service." Signed H Olsen, Master, Harve, 15th August, 1898
1899, Feb 13: At age of 24 and 3 months, he married Adelaide Elizabeth Wilson, a linen designer. They were married at the Albert Street Church in the Parish of Belfast of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. His occupation is recorded as a Flesher (butcher) as he left the sea to run a butcher shop.
1899, Nov 27: His first child, Adelaide Elizabeth Mathers was born and his father, Charles Mathers, died.
1901, Sept 5: His second child, Emma, was born.
1902, Oct 6: He was back at sea. Upon his discharge the master Wrote: "This is to certify that Mr. William Mathers served as chief officer in the Barque Valona of Richibucto ??? From the 6th of October 1902 until the 9th of December 1903 during which time I found him to be a strictly sober and willing man, a good officer and seaman. He is leaving on account of the ship laying up for the winter." Signed: L W Burnley, Master at Carriers Dock, Liverpool 9/12/03.
1903, June 22: His third and last daughter, Anna Kathleen, was born.
1904, 5 Feb: He was granted the following Certificate of competency by the Lords of the Committee of privy Council for trade as Master of a foreign going ship to William J Mathers. Whereas it has been reported to us that you have been found duly qualified to fulfil the duties of Master of a foreign going ship in the Merchant Service, we do hereby, in pursuance of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 grant you this certificate of Competency. by the orders of the Board of Trade this 5th day of February 1904. He was now 28.
1917, Feb 14: A ship, under his command, was torpedoed by the Germans on the Bristol Channel. During the First World War three of his ships were lost carrying horses to the Russians at Murmansk.
In 1919 or 1920: The United Fruit Co of Boston Mass brought out new ships from England and Belfast with British captains, officers, engineers and crews and decided to keep them and bring their families to the USA. Williams's family immigrated to the USA in 1921.
1925, Sep 8: He was awarded the British War Medal and Mercantile Marine War Medal in respect of his services in the Mercantile Marine during hostilities.
1930: His first grand son, John Mathers Caspole, was born. He was master on the San Miguel then.
1935, Mar 25: He was naturalized as a United States citizen. Cert No 3883593
1939: At age 65 he retired from the maritime service to live at 68 Piermont Street Wollaston Mass.
1942, Dec 23: He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer and is buried in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, Mass.
Note: The name Mathers has origin in Kincardineshire and is of Pictish origin before the year 1100.
The S/S LORD DOWNSHIRE. As written by Adelaide E M Caspole
S/S Lord Downshire was owned by the Lord Line of Belfast, North Ireland.
My father, Captain William John Mathers, served five years on this ship as an officer and left to go to steam. The voyage after he left, the ship "sank with all hands" in the South Atlantic.
Dad found this (painting by T Johnston, dated 1917) in a pawnshop while walking home one afternoon and bought it. Grandma Mathers (his wife) brought it with us when we came to the USA in 1921." Signed Adelaide E M Caspole
The painting is an oil on canvas or cloth and one can read the name Lord Downshire, see the flag of the Lord Line and also the British flag. We also have a photo of the ship's crew including William J Mathers and in the photo one can easily read the name Lord Downshire Bangor on the stern of one lifeboat in the background. The painting was reconditioned and reframed in 2006 at a cost of $1400.00
Husband of Adelaide E Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Adelaide W Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Emma Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Anna Mathers (burried in San Diego)
1874, Oct 18: William John was baptized in Parish of Maker in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall. His parents resided in Fort Picklecombe, Plymouth, England where his father, Charles, was stationed as a Gunner in the 10th Brigade of the Royal Artillery.
1888: He was apprenticed to the sailing vessel Lord Downshire owned by the Lord Lines out of Bangor, NIR as a cadet. He sailed on this vessel for about 5 years. He left the ship about 1893 and on its next voyage went down with all hands in the South Atlantic.
1893, Nov. 11: At age 19, he was employed as 2nd mate on the Windsor Castle, registered in London with a tonnage on 613 tons and was bound for the River Plate in Argentina. He was discharge in June 9, 1894 with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability.
1896, Sept. 1: At age 21, he was employed in Cardiff, England as a mate on the Mount Stuart registered in Glasgow of 1220 tons to sail to Puenta Arenas (country unstated). He was discharged in Harve, France on Aug 15, 1898 again with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability. The master of the vessel wrote: "this is to certify that the bearer Mr. W Mathers sailed as second officer in the Mount Stuart from Cardiff to Algon Bay, New South Wales (Australia), Panama, Punta Arenas and back to Harve. The voyage occupying a period of 23 months and 15 days. During that time I found him very attentive to his duties a thoroughly good seaman and strictly sober. I have much pleasure in recommending him to anyone require his service." Signed H Olsen, Master, Harve, 15th August, 1898
1899, Feb 13: At age of 24 and 3 months, he married Adelaide Elizabeth Wilson, a linen designer. They were married at the Albert Street Church in the Parish of Belfast of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. His occupation is recorded as a Flesher (butcher) as he left the sea to run a butcher shop.
1899, Nov 27: His first child, Adelaide Elizabeth Mathers was born and his father, Charles Mathers, died.
1901, Sept 5: His second child, Emma, was born.
1902, Oct 6: He was back at sea. Upon his discharge the master Wrote: "This is to certify that Mr. William Mathers served as chief officer in the Barque Valona of Richibucto ??? From the 6th of October 1902 until the 9th of December 1903 during which time I found him to be a strictly sober and willing man, a good officer and seaman. He is leaving on account of the ship laying up for the winter." Signed: L W Burnley, Master at Carriers Dock, Liverpool 9/12/03.
1903, June 22: His third and last daughter, Anna Kathleen, was born.
1904, 5 Feb: He was granted the following Certificate of competency by the Lords of the Committee of privy Council for trade as Master of a foreign going ship to William J Mathers. Whereas it has been reported to us that you have been found duly qualified to fulfil the duties of Master of a foreign going ship in the Merchant Service, we do hereby, in pursuance of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 grant you this certificate of Competency. by the orders of the Board of Trade this 5th day of February 1904. He was now 28.
1917, Feb 14: A ship, under his command, was torpedoed by the Germans on the Bristol Channel. During the First World War three of his ships were lost carrying horses to the Russians at Murmansk.
In 1919 or 1920: The United Fruit Co of Boston Mass brought out new ships from England and Belfast with British captains, officers, engineers and crews and decided to keep them and bring their families to the USA. Williams's family immigrated to the USA in 1921.
1925, Sep 8: He was awarded the British War Medal and Mercantile Marine War Medal in respect of his services in the Mercantile Marine during hostilities.
1930: His first grand son, John Mathers Caspole, was born. He was master on the San Miguel then.
1935, Mar 25: He was naturalized as a United States citizen. Cert No 3883593
1939: At age 65 he retired from the maritime service to live at 68 Piermont Street Wollaston Mass.
1942, Dec 23: He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer and is buried in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, Mass.
Note: The name Mathers has origin in Kincardineshire and is of Pictish origin before the year 1100.
The S/S LORD DOWNSHIRE. As written by Adelaide E M Caspole
S/S Lord Downshire was owned by the Lord Line of Belfast, North Ireland.
My father, Captain William John Mathers, served five years on this ship as an officer and left to go to steam. The voyage after he left, the ship "sank with all hands" in the South Atlantic.
Dad found this (painting by T Johnston, dated 1917) in a pawnshop while walking home one afternoon and bought it. Grandma Mathers (his wife) brought it with us when we came to the USA in 1921." Signed Adelaide E M Caspole
The painting is an oil on canvas or cloth and one can read the name Lord Downshire, see the flag of the Lord Line and also the British flag. We also have a photo of the ship's crew including William J Mathers and in the photo one can easily read the name Lord Downshire Bangor on the stern of one lifeboat in the background. The painting was reconditioned and reframed in 2006 at a cost of $1400.00
Husband of Adelaide E Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Adelaide W Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Emma Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Anna Mathers (burried in San Diego)
1888: He was apprenticed to the sailing vessel Lord Downshire owned by the Lord Lines out of Bangor, NIR as a cadet. He sailed on this vessel for about 5 years. He left the ship about 1893 and on its next voyage went down with all hands in the South Atlantic.
1893, Nov. 11: At age 19, he was employed as 2nd mate on the Windsor Castle, registered in London with a tonnage on 613 tons and was bound for the River Plate in Argentina. He was discharge in June 9, 1894 with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability.
1896, Sept. 1: At age 21, he was employed in Cardiff, England as a mate on the Mount Stuart registered in Glasgow of 1220 tons to sail to Puenta Arenas (country unstated). He was discharged in Harve, France on Aug 15, 1898 again with a "Very Good" rating for conduct and ability. The master of the vessel wrote: "this is to certify that the bearer Mr. W Mathers sailed as second officer in the Mount Stuart from Cardiff to Algon Bay, New South Wales (Australia), Panama, Punta Arenas and back to Harve. The voyage occupying a period of 23 months and 15 days. During that time I found him very attentive to his duties a thoroughly good seaman and strictly sober. I have much pleasure in recommending him to anyone require his service." Signed H Olsen, Master, Harve, 15th August, 1898
1899, Feb 13: At age of 24 and 3 months, he married Adelaide Elizabeth Wilson, a linen designer. They were married at the Albert Street Church in the Parish of Belfast of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. His occupation is recorded as a Flesher (butcher) as he left the sea to run a butcher shop.
1899, Nov 27: His first child, Adelaide Elizabeth Mathers was born and his father, Charles Mathers, died.
1901, Sept 5: His second child, Emma, was born.
1902, Oct 6: He was back at sea. Upon his discharge the master Wrote: "This is to certify that Mr. William Mathers served as chief officer in the Barque Valona of Richibucto ??? From the 6th of October 1902 until the 9th of December 1903 during which time I found him to be a strictly sober and willing man, a good officer and seaman. He is leaving on account of the ship laying up for the winter." Signed: L W Burnley, Master at Carriers Dock, Liverpool 9/12/03.
1903, June 22: His third and last daughter, Anna Kathleen, was born.
1904, 5 Feb: He was granted the following Certificate of competency by the Lords of the Committee of privy Council for trade as Master of a foreign going ship to William J Mathers. Whereas it has been reported to us that you have been found duly qualified to fulfil the duties of Master of a foreign going ship in the Merchant Service, we do hereby, in pursuance of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 grant you this certificate of Competency. by the orders of the Board of Trade this 5th day of February 1904. He was now 28.
1917, Feb 14: A ship, under his command, was torpedoed by the Germans on the Bristol Channel. During the First World War three of his ships were lost carrying horses to the Russians at Murmansk.
In 1919 or 1920: The United Fruit Co of Boston Mass brought out new ships from England and Belfast with British captains, officers, engineers and crews and decided to keep them and bring their families to the USA. Williams's family immigrated to the USA in 1921.
1925, Sep 8: He was awarded the British War Medal and Mercantile Marine War Medal in respect of his services in the Mercantile Marine during hostilities.
1930: His first grand son, John Mathers Caspole, was born. He was master on the San Miguel then.
1935, Mar 25: He was naturalized as a United States citizen. Cert No 3883593
1939: At age 65 he retired from the maritime service to live at 68 Piermont Street Wollaston Mass.
1942, Dec 23: He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer and is buried in Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree, Mass.
Note: The name Mathers has origin in Kincardineshire and is of Pictish origin before the year 1100.
The S/S LORD DOWNSHIRE. As written by Adelaide E M Caspole
S/S Lord Downshire was owned by the Lord Line of Belfast, North Ireland.
My father, Captain William John Mathers, served five years on this ship as an officer and left to go to steam. The voyage after he left, the ship "sank with all hands" in the South Atlantic.
Dad found this (painting by T Johnston, dated 1917) in a pawnshop while walking home one afternoon and bought it. Grandma Mathers (his wife) brought it with us when we came to the USA in 1921." Signed Adelaide E M Caspole
The painting is an oil on canvas or cloth and one can read the name Lord Downshire, see the flag of the Lord Line and also the British flag. We also have a photo of the ship's crew including William J Mathers and in the photo one can easily read the name Lord Downshire Bangor on the stern of one lifeboat in the background. The painting was reconditioned and reframed in 2006 at a cost of $1400.00
Husband of Adelaide E Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Adelaide W Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Emma Mathers (in Blue Hill)
Father of Anna Mathers (burried in San Diego)
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